Using NIRS to improve outcomes in high-risk patients undergoing major surgery

BRAIN-targeted Goal-directed Therapy in High-risk Patients undeRgOing Major electIve SurgEry: the BRAIN-PROMISE Study

Not applicable Interventional Istituto Clinico Humanitas · NCT04266574

This study is testing if using a special non-invasive monitoring tool during surgery can help high-risk elderly or frail patients have fewer complications after their operations compared to standard care.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment200 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorIstituto Clinico Humanitas Academic / other
Locations1 site (Rozzano, Milan)
Trial IDNCT04266574 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of non-invasive monitoring using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to reduce postoperative complications in high-risk patients undergoing elective surgery. It involves a randomized controlled trial design where hypertensive elderly or frail patients will be monitored with an rSO2-based hemodynamic optimization algorithm. The primary focus is on assessing the incidence of perioperative complications within 30 days post-surgery and the success rate of reversing reductions in NIRS measurements. The study will compare outcomes between patients receiving NIRS-targeted therapy and those receiving standard care.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include hypertensive patients aged 65 and older or those with a frailty score of 5 or more, undergoing major elective surgery.

Not a fit: Patients who may not benefit include those unable to consent, those with severe neurological or psychiatric diseases, or those not on hypertensive medication.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce postoperative complications and improve recovery for high-risk surgical patients.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using NIRS for monitoring in surgical settings, indicating potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* hypertensive patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score≥ 2 with either Age ≥ 65 years or frailty score ≥5
* presence of an arterial catheter during anesthesia
* planned high-risk surgery (abdominal, vascular, urologic, thoracic one-lung ventilation (OLV) procedures), longer than 60 minutes, in general anesthesia
* ability to give informed consent according to International Conference on Harmonization ICH/ Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and national/local regulations

Exclusion Criteria:

* Unable to consent to study inclusion
* Language barrier
* Severe neurological or psychiatric disease
* End-stage dementia
* Total Intravenous anesthesia
* No use of hypertensive medication at home.

Where this trial is running

Rozzano, Milan

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions SurgeryPerioperative Complication
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.